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<DIV>Dear all,<BR>We are about to embark on a study of language and cognitive
development in children with neurodegenerative syndromes with severe motor
impairments who are non-ambulatory.<BR>This project is motivated by the
often-quoted, clinical impression that children with SMA(Spinal Muscular
Atrophy) type II are unusually bright and linguistically precocious despite the
fact that they cannot walk or use their hands very efficiently.<BR>Preliminary
studies lend support to these observations but more research is
warranted.<BR>The study will involve Hebrew speaking children and is in
collaboration with colleagues in London. We will assess syntax, morphology and
vocabulary.<BR><BR>We are looking for advice and suggestions as to what we ought
to probe with respect to the children's cognitive development.What do you expect
will be impaired in children who are motorically so dramatically impaired? What
will impact on their language development? <BR>and of course, which tools shall
we use? what ages do you suggest we test?<BR><BR>Appreciate your help!!<BR>- a
summary will follow<BR><BR>Yonata Levy<BR></DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"
color=#0000ff size=2>
<DIV><BR>----------------------------------------------------------<BR>Prof.
Yonata Levy<BR>Psychology Department<BR>The Hebrew
University<BR>Jerusalem, ISRAEL 91905</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Tel: 972-2-5883408<BR>fax: 972-2-6426749</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>